We have all been there, stuck in a long queue for a lane closure when another driver zooms past in the outside lane and squeezes in near the front of the queue - leaving us furious.

But truth is, you've likely done it yourself at least one, as well as having it done to you. And if you are doing it, you're actually in the right - it's the people who pulled into the queue early who are wrong, says the RAC.

Despite its common occurrence, many people do not know the practice has its own name - zip-merging.

In a nutshell, zip-merging is cars in two lanes of traffic taking it in turns to merge into one, alternating one vehicle from the lane which is closing with one from the lane staying open; hence its other name, merging in turn.

There's also every likelihood that you will see a lot of it this bank holiday weekend, especially when roadworks are in place or there has been a minor accident.

Read More

It may drive you up the wall or even offend your British sensibilities over queue-jumping but the RAC says that under certain circumstances it actually improves the flow of traffic.

So here's everything you need to know about it.

What is zip-merging?

The phrase was coined in America and is a traffic flow measure which drivers should adopt when a motorway or dual carriageway lane closes, leaving only one lane available.

The idea is that drivers should merge at the point of a lane closure instead of indicating early and merging as soon as possible.

It doesn't apply to drivers changing lanes at the front of a queue where there isn't a lane closure, such as those people who drive along a left-turn-only lane then cut in to a straight-on lane, or vice-versa.

Is it okay to zip merge?

This is likely to cause some debate but studies reveal that zip-merging actually reduces congestion, crashes and speeding.

A study in 2008 by an American work zone engineer found that the three primary benefits of zip-merging are:

A reduction in the difference in speeds between the two lanes: without the urgency to move over, the traffic is travelling at roughly the same speed in both lanes, making the merge easier and safer.

The length of queue is reduced by up to 50%, which is critical in areas where queues could end up crossing junctions and slip roads.

When nobody has a perceived advantage, the potential for ‘road rage’ is reduced significantly.

Over here in the UK, the consensus is the same although there are come caveats.

“You should follow the signs and road markings and get into the lane as directed.

"In congested road conditions do not change lanes unnecessarily.

"Merging in turn is recommended but only if safe and appropriate, when vehicles are travelling at a very low speed, eg when approaching road works or a road traffic incident. It is not recommended at high speed.”

Read More

Why do some people have an issue with zip-merging?

It's a good question, and basically it's because, as British people we feel that, as soon as we see a queue, the done thing is to join it as soon as possible, rather than 'push in' near the front.

Heres what the RAC says: "When motorists encounter a lane closure on a motorway or dual carriageway, the majority of drivers follow the etiquette of moving over early, but this creates one long, slow line of traffic and a near-empty outside lane. While motorists on the inside lane might think they’re doing the right thing, it can be more beneficial to continue using the open lane until the last minute, utilising all of the available road and then ‘merging in turn’ at the point at which the road narrows to a single lane.

"However, many drivers find it annoying to watch fellow motorists using the outside lane as they sit stationary on the inside.

Read More

"But if we remove good old-fashioned British queuing etiquette from the equation, taking all emotion out of the scenario, the plain and simple fact is that two lanes of slow moving traffic are better than one.

"So if cars use all of the space available to them on both lanes, it should result in the line of congestion disappearing, or at the very least reduced."

Basically, two shorter lanes of slow-moving traffic are better than one longer one.